16 Hours Of Handicapping and all I get is a closed sign...I'm done.

[cj's dad]

NMT-

Why in the hell are you dealing w/ the tellers???
Use the damn ATM's- at least if you make a mistake, it's on you !!

[so.cal.fan]

It sounds like the track you are attending is a crappy little third rate place and I'm sure you are accurate in your description. I'm sorry this happened to you. We don't need to be losing nice young players in the game.
Not all tracks are like that Nmytwenties. I can't imagine Santa Anita doing that to the people.
They had to close their track down several days last winter due to an unsafe synthetic surface, but if I'm not mistaken......they stayed open to take simulcasting wagers.
Shame on your little racetrack, they sure don't deserve your patronage.
I hope you sent them a letter listing your complaints?
Many players who have abandoned horseracing are now involved in Texas Hold Em poker.
I hope you will find a way to stay in the game, again, very sorry this happened.

[Dan H]

Nmytwenties,

The DRF for Friday has a small article on Page 22 (West Coast edition) that says the race book was closed down because it lacked heat in the face of a winter storm. Tough beat.

Hope you come back as Nmythirties.

Dan H

[ralph_the_cat]

Originally Posted by Charlie D

I tend to take the things i'm investing my hard earned in very seriously

I take the races very serious, everything else is meaningless... How Im treated doesnt make me a better player or increase my chances... keep taking that part of the sport serious and see how far it gets you...

and did anyone factor in it was 2 degrees that morning in ohio...

[phatbastard]

as i was reminded many years ago during one of my racetrack rants by the old timers.....''the quit file is full kid...you'll be back, its in your blood''

[Charlie D]

So far how i'm treated by those that run the sport has seen me quit UK racing, so far it's seen me become a frustrated and fed up US racing fan


I can bet/trade NFL, soccer or any other sport a UK platform provides


I don't need horse racing, horse racing needs me and others like me

Horse racing treats me as a valued customer just like my bank or i'm off to find another provider

[CincyHorseplayer]

Nmytwenties,

We have talked about this because we're in the same city.Intead of going every Monday just save the cash and buy a computer and stay home to watch races.You're betting all simulcast races anyway.

I am absolutely sick of all the BS at Turfway Park and River Downs during the winter-can't sit where you want,whole card cancellations,crappy purses,spurious polytrack form,bad weather to drive in,stinky bathrooms,jaded mutuel clerks.I always wanted to support local and regional tracks but in the winter it's just not worth it.

I bet Fair Grounds Monday and Tampa Bay today,all from home and it was great.This was the first time I have used an ADW account and I'm just starting my new betting year after a hiatus since the Breeders Cup and a few weeks of note taking and dumping money into the accounts.Man,it is liberating and awesome to not have to leave the house in zero degree weather and drive back in rush hour during an oncoming winter storm to bet tracks that are alternately wet,muddy,frozen,drying out,and heavy.I'm not betting anything north of Florida,Louisiana,or SoCal all winter.And I sure as hell won't be doing it at RD or TP.At least until March.

Do yourself a favor and bet from home.It's a lot more enjoyable,not to mention cheaper.I had a pot of gumbo on the stove,christmas music on in the background,and sat around in sweatpants all day watching races.Most enjoyable pre-Christmas raceday experience I ever had.And I have to thank the ADW disputes for driving me away from Ohio races with their chicanery and 1970's purses that turned a bad game into pure farce,and Turfway's utter hatred of the customer looking for the best vantage point to watch the races via a pair of binoculars and unavailability of racecards to Ohio residents on weekdays.I just said F**k em all.There's better racing to be had elswehere anyway.Temperate weather reduces the X-factor of senseless results for the most part,I don't care what anybody says.Take a breather for a few weeks,invest your bet money into a computer,and liberate yourself from the red tape.I'm only 2 days in and I tell you,I might not ever bet a cold weather site ontrack again from October til February.Take care.

Rod

[Nmytwenties]

So cal, your just about on the mark with your comment on the track in question. You could add in that they are just kinda pouting in the corner, apathetic on the horse racing side of things because they have failed in their bid to get slot machines. Wish I could patronize a place that cared, perhaps I wouldn't be finished with it all. And to all of those who have defended the track in question in the past, I am in no mood after yesterday, they show their true colors over and over for all to see.

CJSDAD-I know alot of bettors like the machines but I find them very testing on the patience. The ones at RD take two or three attempts to get the voucher to register and the touch screen is not sensitive to the touch you have to plant your fingure on it to get it to respond.

Dan, I found out why they closed. There were no other businesses closed because of the cold and road conditions were perfect. The business I own lost heat for two days earlier this month because of a electrical problem that knocked out power in the whole strip center and we were open business as usual despite it being a bit uncomfortable. As far as I am concerned the customer should be able to decide whether it is too cold or not in the place, I sure as hell would have still stayed the whole day. As So Cal said , it's a third rate operation at RD. I have been unable to place bets in the past because their machines have went down and watch my selctions come in without a wager being able to be placed. This is similar to that, if you can't keep your business in operational order because you skimp on making upgrades and repairs then you stand to lose customers when stuff like this occurs.

They can open back up whenever they feel like it when its warm enough for them to do so, whenever that will be. I just won't be there. I highly doubt they would have closed on Breeder's Cup day or Ky Derby day because or something trivial like that. They gave the bone to the consumer in this case because they didn't figure they were losing anything by doing so, with it being a Monday. They are wrong.

[Nmytwenties]

phatbastard - I totally understand your train of thought as you can't help to think that I am like all the rest. That is what I am trying to emphasize with my post, we just have to stop tolerating it. Too many people say they are going to quit because of displeasure with the state of affairs only to return as you say I will.

My wagering days are over but I would be willing to make a large wager that I will prove you wrong, I assure you my friend, I will never be back.

[boomman]

Originally Posted by Nmytwenties

This sport never has stopped being fun for me, it was my favorite hobby. I never feel anger about losses, it's a game.

My decision is purely about customer service, or the lack thereof in this case. If I walk into a store and I am unhappy with the service, then why should I go back?? Why should the same thing not apply here. It has nothing to do with wins and losses, gambling problems, having momentary displeasure with the most recent incident, or anything else. I am just one of those people that refuse to patronize places that don't deserve my business. I drive 5 miles to a McDonald's when there is one only a 1/2 mile from where I live because the one I live closest to always fouls up the order and seems not to care one bit.

I mean you sell forms to customers for the next day but you don't open as scheduled????...WTF....I will be back one more time actually now that I think about it, to get my money for the form back.

nmy: So the point you're making is that when you hate customer service at one place, you seek another place offering the same type of product, whether it be a Big Mac or whatever. So IMHO that's what you need to try here: Go to an ADW like PTC that offers EXCELLENT customer service instead of leaving a game you love because of lousy customer service at one establishment. I can assure you that PTC will NEVER take your business for granted, and as many posters have noted here: One of the owners actually answers the phone!

Boomer

[proximity]

Originally Posted by Nmytwenties

Anyone have any ideas for a good replacement hobby????...lol

writing articles for h.a.n.a. maybe??

[badcompany]

Originally Posted by Nmytwenties

Hey badcompany,

Yeah I will take my gambling problem to a casino. Oh wait, I have never been to a casino in the 28 years I have been on this planet.

I could swear that three weeks ago I had a nice trifecta about 100 yards away from the wire and the horse on the lead broke down. Nah I wasn't the only guy who was more concerned about the welfare of horse and rider and could care less about the stupid losing ticket or anything. Nah that wasn't me it was someone else.

Your statement implied that the sport survives because of "love of game." This is absurd. It survives because of gambling. Would you go to River Downs just to watch the horses run and not bet?

[098poi]

Nmyt-

I wish you well. Although you may not be a compulsive gambler it sounds like you are hooked! I am envious of your attention to detail and your willingness to put in so much time to get your results. Seems like it was paying off. I think you may not leave for long. You did state that you had, "2 four dollar cheeseburgers as well", as part of your visit to the track. I am not a doctor but you might try cutting back to one.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[SaratogaSteve]

Originally Posted by ralph_the_cat

Im glad you giggled, because some people take this sport way to serious... it is what it is...

that's the wisest thing I've seen posted here since joining.

[Nmytwenties]

proximity - Funny suggestion there, I actually have about a dozen articles that I have written that have been posted on a political website (probably one you have never heard of..lol) Ashamed to say that in light of some of my spelling errors on here I notice after I have made posts....lol...Might be something I could start doing again though I really am not motivated to do it as much as I was as I don't see Western Civilization and the people who built it (their children and grandchildren that is) ever seeing the light regarding what has to be done to save it. People like to read but they don't really take action on things, at least with the subject matter that I was writing about.


Badcompany - I am surprised that you seem to think that all people who follow the sport are not interested in anything else other that betting. I would like to think most people on this board are not like that maybe I am wrong. I never bet on Triple Crown races but you better believe I never miss any of the TV coverage of them. I watched this sport before I ever bet on it and I guess I will return to my roots,so to speak, as of now

There have been races I have watched in the past at some lower end tracks that I have watched and not bet on because they were just unbettable. One was a month ago, a horse won a NW of 2 race in his 66th start that I enjoyed watching,even though I hadn't bet on it, because it was just a sight to see, a race so devoid of any talent. I watched this race while a race that I actually had a wager on was running at the same time.

Of course the lifeblood of the sport is gambling. And that is fine, but do you think all people who gamble are addicted to it??? I certainly am not and I would think a majority of posters on this board aren't either. I did not participate in this sport for reasons of "making a big score" it was about the challenge for me. I was more concerned with winning percentage than overall amount won or lost when I went. And I also think it is a great sport to watch whether you have a bet or not, I just wish the people who ran the industry were not so apathetic. But they are what they are and they will probably never change, so it is what it is.